C10 Entering the Mountain

On the outskirts of Azure Sun County, Sunn Cheng and Young Master Su arrived simultaneously, both parties pleased with the other's timeliness.

In addition to Young Master Su's party of three, there was a retinue of twenty impeccably equipped personal guards. Clearly, these were family guards who had undergone rigorous training. Whether engaging in individual combat or coordinated group attacks, their skill was evident, placing them among the elite of conventional warriors.

Upon their reunion, Sunn Cheng noticed a subtle shift in the gazes of Su Mo and her servants. Their eyes held a probing quality, as if they were intent on dissecting him to gain a deeper understanding.

Qianfeng, in particular, had been quite confrontational during their encounter at the garrison, almost as if he had "I despise you" written across his forehead.

Yet, at today's meeting, Qianfeng surprisingly initiated conversation with Sunn Cheng and even managed to muster a strained smile, sending a chill down Sunn Cheng's spine.

Qianfeng glanced at Sunn Cheng's attire and frowned slightly, "If you need, I can offer you a top-notch iron bow and saber! These... they seem more like children's playthings, don't they?"

Sunn Cheng, taken aback, looked at the Yellow Poplar Wooden Bow in his hand and scratched his head, at a loss for words. The somewhat antiquated bow had been hand-carved by him six years prior, under Old Bear's tutelage, during his first hunting trip into the mountains. At ten years old, he certainly fit the description of a child back then.

"Never mind the bow and arrow; what's crucial is your sidearm. What about the knife or sword you use?" Qianfeng asked, his tone serious.

"Here's my knife! Right here!" Sunn Cheng replied, quickly turning to display the meat knife attached to his waist. The coarse beast leather sheath confirmed it as his chosen weapon.

Qianfeng exchanged glances with another guard, while Young Master Su's brow furrowed slightly. Sunn Cheng drew the meat knife, its gleaming, broad blade heavy in his hand. He brandished it with pride before sliding it back into its sheath.

"Hmm... Mr. Sunn, that's quite a... distinctive weapon you have. Well then, let's be on our way!" Young Master Su, seemingly eager not to linger or unable to find another topic to discuss with Sunn Cheng, gave a forced smile, gestured to his guards, and set off.

Qianfeng let out a dry laugh and shook his head in disbelief. It was just like a former butcher to wield a meat knife, typically found only in a butcher's shop, as a weapon.

Sunn Cheng was oblivious to the looks exchanged between Qianfeng and the other guards. He simply recognized that Young Master Su was the only one in the group with any discernment. Eager to prove his worth, he dashed to the front of the line to take on his role as the guide.

The vast majority of Phoenix Soaring County's landscape was mountainous, with innumerable peaks undulating across the horizon. To the northeast of Azure Sun County lay a mountain path, seldom trodden and overgrown with weeds taller than a man. Without prior knowledge, one would never suspect the existence of a trail amidst such wilderness.

Heading northeast might seem like a detour from the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, but it was actually a strategic route to avoid a sheer cliff so daunting that not even birds dared to cross. Bypassing this natural barrier via the mountain path saved a significant detour of five or six days that would otherwise be required if entering from Mouth Connecting Town.

Six hours into their journey, Sunn Cheng led the group about a hundred miles into the Myriad Beast Mountain Range. As they glanced back at the solitary cliff only eagles could surmount, they began to appreciate that Sunn Cheng, previously deemed unreliable, had indeed accomplished a feat.

"The road ahead is going to be tougher," Sunn Cheng warned Young Master Su with a seriousness rarely seen on his face. "We'll encounter swamps teeming with poisonous creatures. I urge everyone to stay close and proceed with caution. I can't promise there won't be any mishaps if we rush."

With Young Master Su's nod of understanding, Qianfeng and the other guards voiced no objections. Reassured, Sunn Cheng turned back to the path ahead, resuming his role as the lead hunter.

Only those who had ventured into the Myriad Beast Mountain Range could truly grasp its ancient grandeur. It was a realm that seemed untouched by time, where no trace of humanity could be found, only the towering Giant Trees and the lurking presence of ferocious Barbarian Beasts.

"Mr. Sunn!"

Young Master Su called out just as Sunn Cheng had taken a couple of steps.

Turning around with a puzzled look, Sunn Cheng wasn't sure what Young Master Su wanted to say.

Brushing a fallen leaf off his shoulder, Young Master Su offered a faint smile and said softly, "My name is Su Mo."

Sunn Cheng blinked in astonishment. He hadn't anticipated Young Master Su volunteering his name. Though uncertain if it was genuine, it certainly wasn't the name listed on the travel documents. Despite sharing the surname, it was clear he was not the same individual.

Qianfeng and another guard by his side seemed to anticipate their master's revelation, showing no signs of surprise. Instead, their gazes towards Sunn Cheng carried an additional layer of meaning.

"These two are esteemed members of the Su family and my personal elite guards, Qianfeng... and Guishou," Su Mo indicated the two stoic guards behind her, introducing them with a subdued smile.

Sunn Cheng, momentarily taken aback, quickly regained his composure. He greeted Qianfeng and Guishou with a respectful fist salute, then turned to Su Mo with a bow and a smile, "I'm Sunn Cheng."

As if meeting anew, the two exchanged smiles. Their conversation, free from the usual barriers of rank and status, laid a fragile foundation for mutual cooperation in the face of danger—a flimsy yet preferable alternative to none at all.

Four days later, Sunn Cheng and his companions had delved over two thousand miles deep into the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, drawing near to their goal, Soul Breaking Cliff. Sunn Cheng predicted they would arrive by the next day.

The notable individuals from Ping Mountain City had witnessed Sunn Cheng's unique skills as a hunter over the past few days. He could hit the eyes of swiftly running Iron-Horned Boars from a hundred meters away with his Yellow Poplar Bow, navigate rapidly through dense woods using vines, catch the slippery and delectable Double-Headed Catfish at the bottom of a pond, and scale sheer cliffs using only his hands.

When camping at night, he preferred to sleep atop trees or massive rocks, and sometimes even on a midstream reef, rather than peacefully in his tent.

For instance, whenever a Barbarian Beast neared, Sunn Cheng was always the fourth to notice, as Su Mo and her two servants' cultivation levels paled in comparison to his.

Qianfeng had attempted to sense danger using only his physical abilities rather than his cultivation, but he consistently lagged behind Sunn Cheng. This alone earned Sunn Cheng a greater measure of respect from Qianfeng.

If Sunn Cheng were aware of the high regard in which a master like Qianfeng held him, he'd surely be over the moon.

Su Mo and her companions could easily discern that no one matched Sunn Cheng in physical strength, reaction speed, or sensory acuity at the third level of the Body Tempering Realm.

In other words, within his realm, it was nearly impossible to find a rival for this young man, who could be infuriatingly lazy one moment and faster than a Barbarian Beast the next. He had reached the pinnacle of what a worldly martial artist could attain!

However, this young man could be quite bothersome at times. Like when dining at the campsite, he'd shamelessly beg Su Mo for the exquisite treats from the Osmanthus Restaurant in Ping Mountain City.

He was nowhere to be found during meal prep, yet punctual at mealtime. He delighted in stripping down for a spring bath and would occasionally belt out a dreadful tune while relieving himself...

In essence, this young man's annoying quirks far outnumbered the advantages of his abilities.